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Tokyo will mark
the world debut of the FT-EV II, a compact electric vehicle
designed for short distance travel. Its design and technology
look to a future society where EVs will be in common use, among
a range of different means of transport that will reflect user
requirements, the type of energy used and the local energy
supply infrastructure.
FT-EV II is a
high-quality vehicle concept, designed primarily for urban
driving with a body that is even more compact than that of the
Toyota iQ, but still with room for four seats on board.
Drive-by-wire technology allows all the vehicle functions to be
controlled using a joystick, including the accelerator, brakes
and steering. Removing the throttle and brake pedals frees up
legroom for the four-seat design.
The exterior
features a low front cowl and an additional window below the
level of the windscreen to give extra forward visibility. To
improve safety through the quality of all-round vision, the rear
lamp clusters are see-through LED units. To ensure easy access
in tight spots, there are electric sliding doors on both sides.
Top speed is
above 60mph and a full-charged battery will give a range of more
than 50 miles, which is ample for most urban journeys. The ride
is quiet and comfortable with smooth acceleration, thanks to
Toyota-developed motor control technology, itself part of the
hybrid system that sits at the heart of the company’s
environmental technologies. |
